Gioia’s Rec:
This story is absolutely darling. The premise initially struck me as a bit absurd, but as I quickly became engrossed in the narrative, I found that Wendi had brought to life a Mr. Darcy who is both completely consistent with canon, and completely capable of the nervous habit he maintains in this story. I have an older child who still struggles with a similar behavior. It is therefore easy for me to imagine how both a shy, lonely boy and a determined, young girl – who is struggling to claim in fact that bravery and boldness which serve as her façade – might each have a “shameful” little secret; one which provides them with the necessary courage to survive in tense social settings. Further, Wendi’s whimsical story creates a natural-feeling basis for a much earlier emotional connection between Mr. Darcy and Lizzy, as they each discover the other’s secret, and detect neither derision nor condemnation in the other’s eyes. Finally, aside from the sweet development of their romance, the charming note Mr. Darcy writes, and the spectacularly hot kiss that is depicted, I really liked the deep affection portrayed between a young Mr. Darcy and his grandmother and parents. It helped to set the perfect tone right from the beginning for this truly charming, imaginative tale.